MODULATION OF THYMOCYTE AND T CELL FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY

摘要

The present invention relates to modulation of cell mediated immune responses, and to modulation or inhibition of thymocyte cancers or thymomas. In a first aspect, the present invention is directed to a method for suppressing an immune response by administering dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). In another aspect, the invention relates to a method for enhancing an immune response comprising administering an amount of an inhibitor of calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP), such as the CGRP antagonist CGRP8-37, or an amount of an inhibitor of DHEA. The invention also provides a method for treating a thymic cancer or thymoma comprising administering an amount of calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) effective to induce apoptosis of thymic cancer or thymoma cells. The invention further provides a method for preventing tissue damage comprising administering an amount of an inhibitor of CGRP to inhibit apoptosis of cells in the area of the tissue damage. The invention also relates to a method for identifying an agent capable of inhibiting CGRP-mediated apoptosis.